First Look Review

It's hard to tell (for us) whether the preview sample that AFV Club sent us are test shots or production samples. I would lean more towards production samples as both these and the excellent Nashorn samples looked to be of production quality. That said AFV Club only provided us with the new materials and a M1134 kit which infers that the production kit will use sprues from this prior release. We reviewed the M1134 (AF35134) here so if you want to see areas of the vehicle not shown in our preview photos you can.

A rough diagram of the instructions was provided but no final box, decals, or photo-etch. Once we get the final release version we will of course have a more detailed review of this pending release. As far as a release date, we found one site quoting August 27th, 2010.

Impressions

The detail on the this kit appears very good. The plow has many, many parts so this will not be a kit for the meek of heart. There are 150 pieces on each of the three "V" frets which make up the fine detail of the plow. I would guesstimate that just the additional pieces for this kit at 650.

For the modern AFV builder this will certainly be another seemingly accurate, challenging build.

SUMMARY

AFV Club has sent us a preview of their new M1132 Stryker Engineer Support Vehicle SMP (Surface Mine Plow).

I started building models in 1971 when I was 6. My first model was a 1/32 P-40 Warhawk. Revell I believe. From there I moved onto the standard cars, Apollo spacecraft, and other kid orientated kits. I don't know what got me started on Armor. I must have seen a Monogram tank kit one day and said "Mom...

Just got some unpublished pics of this M1132 Stryker Engineer Support Vehicle driving around the German countryside in the winter of 2009.
Now I‘m excited to get my kit any time soon and I am really looking forward to build this one.
If it is anything like their previous Strykers than it should be worth waiting for, the other AFV Stryker I have already built was very enjoyable and surprisingly easy.
Only drawback will be the lack of the anti-slip surface .... as with most modern kits!
Cheers
Christopher

I'm working on the Stryker MGS right now and I've only had one real complaint and that's the assembly of the headlight systems. The instructions do leave a little to be desired; but I'm still a HUGE fan!!
Can't wait to get my grubby little mits on the engineer vehicle!!